Former centre-left leader in Parma hospital under close watch

(ANSA) - Parma, January 13 - The medical condition of former
centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani has improved enough that
he has been upgraded from intensive care and into semi-intensive
care.

The 62-year-old former chief of the Democratic Party (PD)
suffered a brain hemorrhage more than a week ago that led to
emergency brain surgery.

Officials at the Maggiore hospital in Parma, in
north-central Italy, say that his condition remained stable on
the weekend, with his recovery proceeding as expected.

In semi-intensive care, Bersani's visits are still
restricted and his conditions remain under careful watch.

After his surgery, Bersani's doctors said that there seemed
to be no brain damage, saying the patient was "conscious and
collaborative".

Bersani failed to lead the centre-left PD to victory in
last year's general election despite having a big lead in the
polls beforehand after conducting a colourless campaign.

After the vote, he then could not persuade the
anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) to back a government
led by him after the election.
Instead, the PD had to settle for a left-right coalition
headed by another of its members, Premier Enrico Letta.

Bersani quit as PD chief in April after internal revolts
prevented the party from having two of the candidates he had
chosen elected as Italian president.